does anyone else have to sleep on their back and other questions

[katiefforde]

I find there are times when I can't sleep on my right side (I never sleep on my left) without my heart playing up. I have trained myself to sleep on my back but I've never heard anyone else suffering this.

Also, when I'm reading in bed, I have to hold the book off my chest, or this also causes missed beats and wobbles. (Not sure what I suffer from is called.)

This used to happen before I knew I had AF - I'd always had missed beats occasionally but they always went back to normal within seconds.

Final question, I'm on Fleccainide and it's been brilliant (apart from just recently when it's let me down a bit.) Before Flecc. if I had a big day coming up I'd take an extra 2.5 Bisoprolol. (I'm on 5.mg normally.) Now I have Flecc and I have a big day, could I take an extra one of those? (50 mg twice a day.)

I really love my family, but I do find them exhausting which tends to set my heart off.

I know no one here is medically qualified to help but finding out what other people do would be very useful.

Katie

[Chicohamilton]

Hi - I’ve the same problem more or less - I can’t sleep on my left hand side with getting additional beats and flutters. I was diagnosed with AF 2 years ago - was cardioverted 12 months ago and stable since. I’m on Bisop 2.5 and blood pressure tablets also. I have a mitral valve leak which I think is probably causing a lot of my issues - I do mange to sleep well on my RHS - best wishes

[katiefforde in reply to Chicohamilton]

Just at the moment I can't sleep on either side. I'm thinking of getting a Kardia to track what's going on and then I'll go back to my consultant. thank you!

[Slidingdoors99 in reply to Chicohamilton]

Just to say that’s it’s great to read that you’re still in sinus rhythm after a year. I only managed 3 days after my cardioversion. I will have a second one soon (I’m on amiodarone now) and was wondering if you rested up for ages afterwards or did/or didn’t do anything specific?

[Buffafly]

I see you are overweight so it may be caused by pressure depending on how the weight is distributed. Sometimes I feel a bit breathless at night and I have to lie on my back or prop myself up a bit to sleep. I can’t sleep on my right side until my stomach is completely empty - I suspect I may have a hiatus hernia.

[katiefforde in reply to Buffafly]

I'm suddenly being bothered by missed beats, I think. Breathing can help it but I'm struggling with it rather. Sounds dreadful but I'd almost rather have an Afib attack because I'm familiar with them and they don't make me so anxious. My heart has been great since before Christmas. I think I might get a Kardia so I can send my consultant something. I wonder if I need a bigger dose of Fleccainide but wouldn't take that without medical advice. thank you for replying. I'm keeping up the healthy eating. x

[Hidden in reply to katiefforde]

Totally the opposite I've always had missed beats erratic beats and didn't bother me the afib or flutter whatever it was was worrying. I was like how am I alive if I have no pulse and no hesrt beat.m. then I heard the feint vibrating and was like OK I'm alive its still doing some sort of pumping procedure. I do hate the feeling of missed beats that drum and base drop right through your center. Horrid.

[MrXile]

Hi Katie,

I too most nights sleep on my back, as I often alternate with left and right side sleeping as I often get ‘noise’ ‘flutters’ ‘wobbles’ and on occasion full on ‘af’ - so like you, trained myself primarily to sleep on my back.

I’m on Bisoprolol 7.5mg and also take Apixiban.

I wish I knew what triggered it. If anything. I always worry I’m alone. This stuff only happens to me. I’m the only one with symptoms when lying this way.... that way.... it’s unexplainable. Lol.

I now know thanks to this place, and the people that is not in fact true.

I have a loop implant recorder installed. The cardiac nurses and my cardiologist are not worried about anything whatsoever. So that helps ease my mind for a while. I’ve found the biggest thing that stressed me was myself! Literally my worrying caused me to worry.

PS. Love you in Corrie. Hehe

[katiefforde in reply to MrXile]

I must say it is comforting knowing there are others going through the same thing. It seems the sleeping thing is shared too.

Thanks for replying and we can tell each other to stop worrying!

Am I in Corrie? Who knew?

Katie

[MrXile in reply to katiefforde]

Okay, so it’s Kate Ford in Corrie but very similar lol.

Yeah, it’s reassuring we’re all in this together.

[katiefforde in reply to MrXile]

I'm glad I can stick to my own job!

[JaneFinn in reply to katiefforde]

Yes! Please do keep writing! Your books are a bright point of happiness through any gloom 😊🌟 xx

[katiefforde in reply to JaneFinn]

Oh thank you! I will keep on writing. I feel very lucky to have a job that can accommodate a slightly dodgy heart! x

[lovetogarden]

I’m a right side sleeper too and definitely notice my heart reacting a bit when I turn over to go to sleep. An extra pillow helps me from totally falling over and I’m still able to sleep on my side. Being a big reader, as you are, I’ve switched to a Kindle, less weight on the chest while reading in bed (not to mention it doesn’t knock you out when it falls on ones sleepy face 😴 ) Though one night I saw my kindle popping up and down on my chest as my heart was flipping out! That was pretty funny, in retrospect.

[katiefforde in reply to lovetogarden]

So the weight of the book on your chest affects you too? I have to read a lot of books for my work and I have so far refused/been unable to have them transferred to Kindle which cuts down how many I am asked to read. There must be some vein that is blocked by the book and the heart objects. It is quite funny in retrospect about your heart bouncing up and down. We have to find the humour in this game!

[lovetogarden in reply to katiefforde]

Seems like we need to invent a book pillow that will support and take the weight of books and kindles off our chests! (Assuming you are Katie Fforde, the author? Back in the day when your books came out in the UK long before the US, a friend who is a big fan would ask me to pick up your new titles whenever we visited family in England. Win/win, I discovered a new author and got to read them before I delivered them. Good thing book smuggling isn’t illegal! 😂 thx for the fun reads! )

[katiefforde in reply to lovetogarden]

Oh, that is lovely! I am that KFf - and now we share dodgy hearts together!

[Hidden in reply to katiefforde]

Could be that old vagus nerve maybe getting squashed? I feel like sqaushing helps me. Even when in was oregnant I used to sleep on my tummy with cushions.

[Sakhay]

I have noticed, that being on my right side is better. Have no idea why.

[katiefforde in reply to Sakhay]

It doesn't seem logical, does it?

[Easternmost]

Hi, I had an ablation for atrial flutter last year and have a slightly leaky valve. I also feel that my heart is uncomfortable now on my left hand side. I have trained myself to sleep on my back or RHS seems ok. I have spoken to the consultants about it, but they seem say it is fine to sleep in any position, so I don’t know why I get this! I am not overweight. Interesting to hear other people’s experiences!

[katiefforde in reply to Easternmost]

it sounds as if it's a thing no one has really looked into - possibly they have other priorities. But I'm glad to think I'm not entirely alone!

[Easternmost in reply to katiefforde]

That is the wonderful thing about this community - you are never alone. I guess we will just have to sleep in the best position for us as individuals- I am going to continue to ask the question in the future though as medics have different views/opinions 😊

[katiefforde in reply to Easternmost]

I totally agree! Just thinking about having to deal with all these little things on my own is awful! People are so kind, too.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us]

It's well known by Electrophysiologists that laying on your Left side can precipitate an arrhythmia attack or cardiac instability. It happens to me. Right side seems OK.

However .... you seem to have the reverse.

I was taking 2 x 50mg Flecainide a day .... and I thought it wasn't working. I asked my Cardiologist if I should take 3 a day. He said NO WAY. Keep at the same dose. It has 'nasty' side effects.

So I kept the same dose ... and after nearly 3 weeks the medication finally kicked in effectively and controlled my AFIB and tachycardia.

[katiefforde in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

My Afib was worse when I first stated on the Flecc. But then it worked brilliantly and I was nearly 2 months without anything, and actually, although I've had blips and flips (I don't know what they'd be called medically) I haven't hd an Afib attack since before Christmas. However, I did find the flips and blips worrying. And they mean I can't sleep on either side, left or right. However I'm feeling better today so fingers crossed, things will go back to normal. It's a tricky old thing, this Afib, isn't it?

[The_Lord_is_with_Us in reply to katiefforde]

I've had ectopics .... PVC's ...... and others. Had 4 ablations. Had Atrial flutter and AFIB.

After my 3rd ablation, I had continuous ectopic beats that were very uncomfortable. The Cardiologist said to just ignore because they are non-issue.

I couldn't .... and discovered 300 to 400mg twice daily of a triple magnesium complex smoothed heart out to normal within 2 weeks time. Miraculous .... and extremely happy because wasn't getting any help from doctor. Anyway .... you might give it a try. Mag is cheap ... generally accepted as safe ... most people are deficient ... and used in numerous bodily functions.

[katiefforde in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

I did used to take it and got out of the habit but did take it yesterday. I'll add it to my pills to take every day. thank you for reminding me it's important.

[JaneFinn in reply to katiefforde]

I agree, good reminder there! My heartbeat seems less bumpy and skipped-beaty at night when I’m taking magnesium. (Also making sure I’ve not inadvertently had caffeine, too much sugar or any artificial sweeteners too.) Xx

[katiefforde in reply to JaneFinn]

I've never been able to cope with caffeine even before Afib. We just have to do out best.

[JaneFinn in reply to katiefforde]

Me neither! Funny isn’t it? We must always have had an extra sensitivity to caffeine.

About the back sleeping - yes I often find I have to lie on my back, and I make a nest of my pillows to stop me rolling over in my sleep...

Funnily enough I find the problem for me with reading lying on my back is around the tension of holding the book. Any unsupported or unusual tension in my arms at any point in the day can trigger a jittery heartbeat. (Eg if I hold a mobile up to my ear for long without supporting my arm, or hold a book ‘up’ rather than supporting the book.) So my ultimate bed-reading-position (which being an avid reader is important to me!) is where I can prop the book where my muscles can stay relaxed, without even the smallest strain on me. (A cushion/pillow helps.) It’s what made me switch to kindle books at night. But I definitely would give myself the heebejeebies propping it directly on my chest because of seeing the wobbles and jitters 😊 xx

[katiefforde in reply to JaneFinn]

It proves what I always say about AF, we are all different. We have to find the little tweaks that work for us. We're lucky we can pool our ideas to find what helps. Interesting about straining your arm. I'm glad you've found a solution! I'd hate a reader not to be able to read!

[Hidden in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Ywah magnesium for me stopped my heart flutter or afib that very night I had been taking some but not enough I take 400 mg now and it ahsnt returned. I still get the blips and blops and wibbles and thuds but I've had them longer so they don't either me so much.

[katiefforde in reply to Hidden]

that sounds like a top tip. I'll try it. Thank you.

[Hidden in reply to katiefforde]

Oh god yeah. I'm so glad I figured it out because I'd be down a whole other road right now and others seem to have been on that road for years and never had the simplest of causes even explored. Its crazy. I'd try anything simple and safe first before something with risks down the line. It scares me that doctors don't think that way.

[Rosie0202 in reply to The_Lord_is_with_Us]

Hi, I saw your posting dated 2 years ago in which you said you took 300- 400 mg twice daily of triple magnesium complex. Are you still taking it and has it cured your Afib and flutter.

[The_Lord_is_with_Us in reply to Rosie0202]

Hello! Rosie I still take mag and it does everything I said it would (great for common PVC's and ectopic beats). Unfortunately, it's sometimes not enough to 'completely' eliminate AFIB. Mine returned in 2020 after 10 calm years ... and I went in for another ablation. Afterwards, have had normal rhythm and feel great. Wishing you the best.

[ETHEL103]

I have to sleep on my back now too because of flutters and ectopics. Horrible isn't it?

[katiefforde in reply to ETHEL103]

sometimes it's ok, but at others I just can't drop off on my back. But I'm glad I'm not alone!

[ETHEL103 in reply to katiefforde]

This forum is amazing. You are defo not alone. Regards.

[katiefforde in reply to ETHEL103]

It is horrid. a constant reminder that something isn't right.

[bassets]

I read the latest Robert Gakbraith which is a massive tome and used a cushion to rest it on in bed

[katiefforde in reply to bassets]

Did that help stop the heart thing? Could be a good tip!

[bassets]

Not sure but it made life much more comfortable. I'm a cushion lover

[katiefforde]

Me too! And pillows...

[Surreychica_1]

Yes same for me. If I sleep on my left I get Ectopic beats. I have tried sleeping on my back but I just cannot do it.

[Tapanac]

Like you I have a problem going to sleep on my left side so try to go on my right with a lean towards my back. I was told by my cardiologist that it would be better to lie on my left side (?can't do it) as blood goes in to the heart from the right and out through the left, so better to lie on the left. I suspect whichever is better for you. I notice that I am better with 4 pillows if I have an afib/tachycardia attack, and the rest of the time I go to bed with 3 pillows. It took some getting used to and most nights I do slip down, but it is better. All the best

[Hidden]

Hi, I have regular pvcs, bigeminy & afib. 2 years ago, I ended up in hospital due to thyroid overactive after 20 years of under active. It put my in chf. Prior to that, pvcs rarely or occasionally. 1 cardioversion successful for 1 year, but currently in afib. When I sleep, I also avoid my left because I don't like how I feel everything going on with my heart. If I sleep on my right, at 1st I feel everything & it subsides. Maybe the book isn't causing the missed beats but you feel them more because my missed beats make quite a vibration too~ Flecainide works wonders for me. Dr. tried to take me off recently since it "wasn't taking me out of afib & need another cardioversion" & I felt awful. It DOES help with pvcs too so not doing that again. As far as family, ah where to start lol...but really stress is tough so do your best to put yourself 1st & find ways to limit stress. Be well!

[Slidingdoors99]

Hi! Interesting.... Since my AFib began I’ve been training myself to sleep on my back. When I turn over, I have found that I’m not to bad in my right hand side, but my left side is a nightmare!

[Hidden]

I had the opposite. I've always had odd beats and I have always had to sleep on my tummy and sort of squash my heart ... I have low bp and would only get the fluuter or afib thing at night lying down generally on my back...so maybe the lack of bp triggered it. Thankfully its stopped after taking magnesium but I still get flobbles and blobbles whatever they are and lying onnmy tummy usually helps. But if I get deep tummy throbs it usually makes that more notable but I get that less often in bed and more often after eating.